Bunk feeder for cattle

ABSTRACT

Livestock feeding apparatus comprising frame means having generally horizontally disposed feeder supporting rails and defining a generally elongated feeding area of predetermined length beneath said rails. Feed carrier means mounted on the rails and arranged to move reciprocatorily above said feeding area between a pair of limit points at opposed ends of said supporting rails. The carrier means includes a feed retention bin having a length which is less than one-half the length of said feeding area and has a controllably openable bottom wall. Feed delivery means are provided having a discharge opening above the retention bin and arranged to deliver feed into the retention bin, and drive means are provided for reciprocatorily moving the retention bin between opposed positions at either end of the frame means. Locking means are provided coupled to the retention bin and adapted to open and close the bottom wall in response to motion of the retention bin along its reciprocatory path. The bin has latch tripping means adapted to open the bottom wall of the bin as the bin approaches the limit points of its reciprocatory travel, with means being provided to close the bottom wall as the bin continues movement toward the limit point. The bottom wall of the bin has a pair of hinged segments, and hence the structure may be permitted to remain in open disposition when not in use.

Unite States Anderson i atent 1 BUNK FEEDER FOR CATTLE Inventor: Layton H. Anderson, R.R. No. 2, New Auburn, Wis. 54757 Filed: Dec. 22, 1971 Appl. No.: 210,788

Primary ExaminerHugh R. Chamblee Attorney-Orrin M. Haugin [57] ABSTRACT Livestock feeding apparatus comprising frame means having generally horizontally disposed feeder supporting rails and defining a generally elongated feeding area of predetermined length beneath said rails. Feed carrier means mounted on the rails and arranged to move reciprocatorily above said feeding area between a pair of limit points at opposed ends of said supporting rails. The carrier means includes a feed retention bin having a length which is less than one-half the length of said feeding area and has a controllably openable bottom wall. Feed delivery means are provided having a discharge opening above the retention bin and arranged to deliver feed into the retention bin, and drive means are provided for reciprocatorily moving the retention bin between opposed positions at either end of the frame means. Locking means are provided coupled to the retention bin and adapted to open and close the bottom wall in response to motion of the retention bin along its reciprocatory path. The bin has latch tripping means adapted to open the bottom wall of the bin as the bin approaches the limit points of its reciprocatory travel, with means being provided to close the bottom wall as the bin continues movement toward the limit point. The bottom wall of the bin has a pair of hinged segments, and hence the structure may be permitted to remain in open disposition when not in use.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB27I973 3 718,121

SHEET 1 OF 3 BUNK FEEDER FOR CATTLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to livestock feeding apparatus, and more particularly to a bunk feeder utilizing a reciprocatorily movable retention bin for delivering predetermined quantities of feed into the bunk area. More particularly, the livestock feeding apparatus of the present invention comprises a structure permitting controlled opening and closing of the carrier means in response to reciprocatory motion of the carrier means between opposed ends of the bunk, with the feed delivered to the bunk area being in uniform quantity along the length of the bunk, including the center portion disposed immediately beneath the feed delivery means.

The livestock feeding apparatus of the present invention is arranged to move smoothly along a pair of supporting rails extending between opposite end points of a bunk feeding area. The carrier means riding upon the supporting rails is arranged to move smoothly between opposed ends of the rails, with the resistance to motion provided by opening and closing of the carrier or retention bin being minimal, and thus permitting driving motion for the carrier to be minimal and in reasonable accordance with the power requirement for moving the empty feed retention bin.

In the past, bunk feeder apparatus have been proposed which utilize support rails having elevated portions or segments arranged therealong for controlling the opening and closing of the feed retention bin. These units and structures require driving power which is sufficient to lift the feed retention bin when substantially fully loaded, and hence for normal moving speeds, the power requirements increase significantly for accomplishing automatic opening and closing. The apparatus of the present invention accommodates opening and closing with a minimum of driving effort being required, and hence the system may be utilized with power requirements matched substantially to that requirement for moving the loaded feed retention bin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a livestock feeding apparatus is provided which comprises a frame including a pair of generally horizontally disposed feeder supporting rails. The bunk feeding area is disposed immediately beneath the retention and a feed carrier means is mounted upon the rails and arranged to move reciprocatorily above the bunk feeding area. The feed carrier means includes a feed retention bin having a length which is less than one-half the length of the bunk feeding area. Feed delivery means are provided for the feed retention bin, with the feed delivery means having a discharge opening disposed generally adjacent the mid-point of the bunk feeding area. Locking means are coupled to the retention bin and adapted to open and close the bottom wall of the bin in response to motion of the retention bin between opposite ends of the reciprocatory path. The locking means include latches, bolt means mounted for sliding movement upon one of the bin side walls. The bolt means extends generally between the latches, and is adapted to releasably engage the latches, the bolt means being coupled to bottom release cable means and arranged to releasably maintain said bottom wall in closed disposition. Cam means are disposed along the supporting rails to actuate the latches. The arrangement is such that as the feed retention bin approaches one of the limit points of the reciprocatory path, the cam means strike the latch means and release the bolt means to open the bottom wall of the retention bin, and continued motion of the retention bin toward the limit point causes stop means to move said bolt means in a manner to close the bottom wall upon continued motion of the feed retention bin as it approaches and reaches the limit point. In addition, means are provided for automatically reversing the direction of reciprocatory motion of the retention bin upon completion of closure of the bottom wall.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved bunk feeder apparatus which utilizes a reciprocatorily moving feed retention bin, with the motion of the bin controlling and determining the opening and closing of the bottom wall of the bin.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved bunk feeder apparatus which utilizes a reciprocatorily moving feed retention bin having means for automatically opening and closing the bottom wall of the bin, these means functioning in response to travel motion of the feed retention bin.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved bunk feeder apparatus utilizing a reciprocatorily moving feed retention bin which is equipped with means for opening and closing the bottom wall thereof, with opening and closing being accomplished without significantly increasing the power requirements of the driving mechanism for the feed retention bin.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved bunk feeder apparatus utilizing a movable feed retention bin which may be permitted to remain open during idle periods.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the improved bunk feeder apparatus of the present invention, and illustrating the discharge portion of the feed delivery means in cut-away disposition;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a portion only of the feeding apparatus, and illustrating the disposition of the structure as it moves along its reciprocatory path toward one extreme limit point;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but on a slightly reduced scale, and illustrating the disposition of the feed retention bin at the start of a return cycle, with the dumping doors being latched closed, and illustrating, in phantom, the opposite extreme disposition of the bunk as it approaches the right-hand post shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an end segment or portion only of the bunk feeder apparatus in the disposition illustrated in FIG. 3, and taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an end segment or portion only of the bunk feeder apparatus in the disposition illustrated in FIG. 3, and being taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a detail sideelevational view, partially broken away and on a slightly enlarged scale, and illustrating the details of the latching and locking means utilized on the feed retention bin for accommodating opening and closing thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a detail horizontal sectional view on a slightly enlarged scale, and showing a portion of the locking and latching means utilized on the feed retention bin for accommodating opening and closing thereof, FIG. 7 being taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As illustrated in FIG. 1, the livestock feeding apparatus generally designated 10 includes a frame means including vertical posts 11 and 12 supporting a pair of generally horizontally disposed feeder supporting rails 13 and 14. A feeding bunk is arranged beneath the rails 13 and 14, and between posts 11 and 12, the bunk being shown at 16 in FIG. 1.

A feed carrier means generally designated 17 is mounted on the rails 13 and 14, and is arranged to move reciprocatorily above the bunk feeding area or trough 16. The carrier means includes a feed retention bin structure 18 which is arranged to move reciprocatorily above the feeding area and between the posts 1 1 and 12, with the length of travel being, of course, substantially less than the length of the bunk 16. Feed retention bin 18 has an open top, with a pair of generally upstanding walls 19 and 20 and a controllably openable bottom wall, as best shown in FIG. 4 and including a pair of segments 21 and 22.

Feed delivery means are provided as at 24, with the delivery means having a discharge opening as at 25 and arranged to deliver feed directly into the retention bin. As is apparent from the drawings, the feed delivery means 24 is arranged to substantially continuously deliver feed through opening 25 into feed retention bin 18 while bin 18 is disposed beneath opening 25, and this discharge continues directly into the bunk area 16 whenever the end walls of bin 18 are beyond the extent of opening 25.

Means are provided for reciprocatorily moving the feed retention bin between the opposed positions, the drive means generally designated 28 including a motor 29 having an output shaft 30 delivering power to transmission and cable drive 31. Drive pulley 32 of transmission 31 engages cable 33, with opposed ends of cable 33 being coupled to opposed ends of feed retention bin 18 as at 34 and 35. In order to define a proper path for cable 33, pulleys 33a and 33b are provided at opposite ends of the structure. Suitable limit switches are positioned at each end of bin 18, such as at 36 to sense the presence of bin 18, and arranged to reverse the direction of rotation of motor 29 so as to reverse the direction of travel of bin 18. Each limit switch is arranged to make contact with a stop pad such as pad 36a for switch 36, with each stop pad having an adjustable abutment surface as shown at 36b.

As has been indicated, means are provided to open the bottom wall portions of the bin 18, these means being shown, at least partially, in FIG. 2 as at 40. The details of operation of means 40 will be described fully hereinafter, it being sufficient to point out at this time that the direction and extent of travel of feed retention bin 18 on the horizontal rails will control the opening and closing of the bottom wall of bin 18.

Feed retention bin 18 is supported on an upper frame assembly 42, with grooved support wheels 43-43 being arranged in each of the corner dispositions of bin 18 for hanging support. Shaft means are provided and extend between oppositely disposed wheels 43-43, such as at 44 and 45. Shafts 44 and 45 pass through and support walls 19 and 20, particularly as is indicated in FIG. 4. Also, as is indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper supporting frame 42 includes end support members 47-47, each being disposed at an end of bin 18, as at a point immediately above end walls 49 and 50 of bin 18.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings wherein the locking and actuating means for the bottom wall is illustrated. The locking means generally designated is shown coupled to the wall of the retention bin and adapted to open and close the bottom wall in response to motion of the retention bin. The locking means includes an elongated bolt means or rod 51, having a pair of latches 52 and 53 secured thereto. Spring bias means such as springs 54 and 55 are coupled to latch elements 52 and 53 in order to retain them in normal disposition, such as is illustrated in FIG. 6. Each latch is provided with a cam follower wheel, such as cam follower wheel 56, the cam follower being arranged to contact cam surface 57 as the feed retention bin moves along its normal reciprocatory path. Latches 52 and 53 are further provided with a locking detent area, such as is shown at 59 and 60, these detent areas being provided so as to permit the individual latches 52 and 53 to capture locking pins 61 and 62 respectively. Locking pin 62 is illustrated in the drawings in both FIGS. 6 and 7. Bolt 51 is arranged for reciprocatory lateral motion relative to bin 18, and is secured to the wall of bin 18 by strap members 64-64. Accordingly, the motion of the feed retention bin 18 provides motion in bolt 51 as appropriate.

With continued attention being directed to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, it will be observed that bottom release cable means generally designated are provided, the cable means including first and second cable links 71 and 72, with each link 71 and 72 having one end secured to an anchor point such as anchor point 73, and having the opposite end secured to the linkage actuating the bottom wall, such as at 74 in FIG. 5. The opposite end of the bin 18, not shown in detail, is, of course, identical to that shown in FIG. 5. Pulley means such as pulleys 75 and 76 are provided to define a path for each of the cable links 71 and 72, with pulleys 75 and 76 being secured to bolt means 51. Thus, the immediate disposition of the bolt means 51 determines the path of cable links 71 and 72 between the anchor point 73 and the bottom wall of the bin 18.

It will be observed that the individual cable links 71 and 72 are guided over appropriate pulleys or the like, such as is illustrated at 78 and 79, these pulley guides being, of course, standard and straightforward in design and function. Spring member 80 couples the clevis point or end 81 of cable segment '71 to center pin 82 which, in turn, pivotally couples links 83 and 84. Links 83 and 84 are coupled at their opposed ends to pivotally mounted pads 85 and 86, such as by means of pins 87 and 88 respectively. Pads 85 and 86 are, as indicated, secured to segments 21 and 22 of the bottom wall of bin 18. As is apparent in the drawings, the disposition of pulley guides 75 and 76 will, in fact, determine the immediate disposition of member 82, and accordingly the disposition of bottom wall portions 21 and 22.

Attention is now re-directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein the operation of the structure may be initially explained. With the feed retention bin 18 moving in the direction of the arrow 90, feed material shown at 91 is being discharged into the confines of bin 18 as the motion continues. Upon experiencing contact between cam follower 56 and cam surface 57, pin 61 is released from its captured disposition in area 59, thus permitting lateral motion of bolt 51 in the direction toward the right of FIG. 1, until the disposition shown in FIG. 2 is reached. While the weight of the feed material confined within bin 18 will normally be sufficient to accomplish dropping open of the bottom, certain operating conditions may not permit this to occur, and hence the abutment members and cooperating stop means will function to open the unit. In this connection, and with attention being directed to FIGS. 6 and 7, upon opening of the latching means 52, abutment 66 strikes stop means 67, and continued travel of bin 18 in the direction of arrow 90 will force the bottom walls 21 and 22 to fall open.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings wherein the next phase of operation is shown and is apparent. In FIG. 2, direction of motion con tinues in the direction of arrow 93, and contact has been achieved between abutment 66 and stop means 67, thus providing full open disposition for the bottom wall. As is apparent, cam 57 has struck cam follower 56 and opened latch 52 to permit bolt 51 to slide to the right, as in FIG. 2.

Motion continues along the direction of arrow 93 (FIG. 2) until abutment means 65 and stop means 67 have cooperated to move bolt 51 to a disposition sufficiently far to the right to permit pin 61 to be captured in the appropriate locking area of latch 53. While in this position, wall segments 21 and 22 are closed and latched for the return cycle. Contact of limit switch 36 with abutment pad 361), coupled with suitable and conventional control mechanisms, will reverse the direction of rotation of motor 29, and thus reverse the direction of motion of bin 18. Such control means are conventional in the art, and need not be illustrated in detail here.

As the bin 18 moves in the direction of arrow 95 of FIG. 3, such travel will continue until the disposition illustrated in phantom in FIG. 3 is achieved. At this point, the system functions in the identical manner as has been previously described, permitting dumping of the contents of the retention bin into the bunk area 16, with reversing switch again reversing the direction of rotation of motor 29 so as to restore motion in the bin to the left and in the direction of arrow 90, FIG. 1.

It will be observed that discharge of feed continues at a constant rate, and thus distribution of feed in the bunk area 16 is uniform. In order to enhance the uniformity of feed delivery for each of the animals feeding in the bunk, the length of movable bin 18 is rendered somewhat less than one-half of the entire length of travel. This length is sufficiently less than onehalf of the entire length of travel so as to permit substantial discharge of feed, such as feed 91, directly into the bunk area beneath the feed delivery. Thus, continuity is provided for feed delivery to the entire length of the bunk.

lclaim:

l. Livestock feeding apparatus comprising:

a. frame means including generally horizontally disposed feeder supporting rails, a generally elongated feeding bunk area of a first predetermined length arranged beneath said rails;

b. feed carrier means mounted on said rails and arranged to move reciprocatorily above bank area between a pair of limit points at opposed ends of said support rails, said carrier means having a feed retention bin of a certain second predetermined length less than said first predetermined length with an open top, generally upstanding walls, and a controllably openable bottom wall;

c. feed delivery means having a discharge opening above said retention bin and arranged to deliver feed into said retention bin;

(1. drive means for reciprocatorily moving said retention bin between opposed positions at either end of said frame means;

e. locking means coupled to said retention bin and adapted to open and close said bottom wall in response to motion of said retention bin;

f. said locking means comprising a pair of latches arranged in oppositely disposed relationship along said retention bin, bolt means mounted for movement upon one of said bin side walls and extending between said locking means and adapted to releasably engage said latches, said bolt means being coupled to bottom release cable means and arranged to releasably maintain said bottom wall normally closed, cam means disposed along said rails, each being adapted to actuate one of said latches for controllably releasing said bolt means from said latch means, abutment means arranged along and secured to said bolt means and stop means coupled to said frame means and arranged for operative contact with said abutment means during reciprocatory travel of said retentionbin;

g. said cam means being positioned along said rails at a predetermined point and arranged to strike said latch means and release said bolt means during each stroke of said reciprocatory travel while said retention bin is approaching one of said limit points and thereby permit the bottom wall of said retention bin to open;

h. said stop means being positioned along said rails at a. predetermined point and arranged to strike said abutment means and commence actuation of said bottom release cable means to close said bottom wall and to affect closure thereof during said one reciprocatory stroke and while said retention bin continues to approach said one of said limit points; and

i. means for reversing the direction of reciprocatory motion of said retention bin upon completion of closure of said bottom wall and upon reaching said limit point.

2. The livestock feeding means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the length of said feed retention bin is slightly less than one-half of said first predetermined length.

3. The livestock feeding apparatus of claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said bottom release means includes first and second cable links, each link having one end secured to an anchor point, and having the other end secured to said bottom wall, and pulley means defining a path for each of said cable links and being secured to said bolt means, whereby the immediate disposition of said bolt means determines the cable path between said anchor point and said bottom wall.

4. The livestock feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said feed delivery means delivers feed to a point disposed generally centrally of the length of said horizontal rails.

5. The livestock feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that the length of said feed retaining bin is sufficiently less than onehalf of said first predetermined length to permit substantial discharge of feed from said feed delivery means directly into the bunk feeding area disposed beneath said feed delivery means.

6. The livestock feeding apparatus as defined in claim 5 being particularly characterized in that the quantity of feed discharged directly into said feed area from said feed delivery means is generally equal to the quantity discharged directly into a length of feed retention bin substantially equal to the difference between said first predetermined length and twice the length of said retention bin. 

1. Livestock feeding apparatus comprising: a. frame means including generally horizontally disposed feeder supporting rails, a generally elongated feeding bunk area of a first predetermined length arranged beneath said rails; b. feed carrier means mounted on said rails and arranged to move reciprocatorily above bank area between a pair of limit points at opposed ends of said support rails, said carrier means having a feed retention bin of a certain second predetermined length less than said first predetermined length with an open top, generally upstanding walls, and a controllably openable bottom wall; c. feed delivery means having a discharge opening above said retention bin and arranged to deliver feed into said retention bin; d. drive means for reciprocatorily moving said retention bin between opposed positions at either end of said frame means; e. locking means coupled to said retention bin and adapted to open and close said bottom wall in response to motion of said retention bin; f. said locking means comprising a pair of latches arranged in oppositely disposed relationship along said retention bin, bolt means mounted for movement upon one of said bin side walls and extending between said locking means and adapted to reLeasably engage said latches, said bolt means being coupled to bottom release cable means and arranged to releasably maintain said bottom wall normally closed, cam means disposed along said rails, each being adapted to actuate one of said latches for controllably releasing said bolt means from said latch means, abutment means arranged along and secured to said bolt means and stop means coupled to said frame means and arranged for operative contact with said abutment means during reciprocatory travel of said retention bin; g. said cam means being positioned along said rails at a predetermined point and arranged to strike said latch means and release said bolt means during each stroke of said reciprocatory travel while said retention bin is approaching one of said limit points and thereby permit the bottom wall of said retention bin to open; h. said stop means being positioned along said rails at a predetermined point and arranged to strike said abutment means and commence actuation of said bottom release cable means to close said bottom wall and to affect closure thereof during said one reciprocatory stroke and while said retention bin continues to approach said one of said limit points; and i. means for reversing the direction of reciprocatory motion of said retention bin upon completion of closure of said bottom wall and upon reaching said limit point.
 2. The livestock feeding means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the length of said feed retention bin is slightly less than one-half of said first predetermined length.
 3. The livestock feeding apparatus of claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said bottom release means includes first and second cable links, each link having one end secured to an anchor point, and having the other end secured to said bottom wall, and pulley means defining a path for each of said cable links and being secured to said bolt means, whereby the immediate disposition of said bolt means determines the cable path between said anchor point and said bottom wall.
 4. The livestock feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said feed delivery means delivers feed to a point disposed generally centrally of the length of said horizontal rails.
 5. The livestock feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that the length of said feed retaining bin is sufficiently less than one-half of said first predetermined length to permit substantial discharge of feed from said feed delivery means directly into the bunk feeding area disposed beneath said feed delivery means.
 6. The livestock feeding apparatus as defined in claim 5 being particularly characterized in that the quantity of feed discharged directly into said feed area from said feed delivery means is generally equal to the quantity discharged directly into a length of feed retention bin substantially equal to the difference between said first predetermined length and twice the length of said retention bin. 